It doesn’t happen often, but every now and then you’ll see someone turning their nose up at the complimentary wine that accompanies dinner at a fundraising event.

Judy Grant didn’t want that happening when she chaired the Central City Opera’s Theatre of Dreams Gala, so she came up with a profitable solution.

Those who didn’t find the Momo Sauvignon Blanc, Trig Point Chardonnay, Dauvergne Ranvier Cotes du Rhone or Momo Pinot Noir to their liking could hand over $100 and pick from a curated selection of “extraordinary” reds from Italy, France and California’s Napa Valley to enjoy with their herbed beef tenderloin dinner from Catering by Design.

City Hall Night Club was the setting for the event that brought in 200 friends of the opera for an evening that also included entertainment by soprano Anna Christy, baritone Michael Mayes and The Spirituals Project Choir.

Both Christy and Mayes have appeared in recent Central City Opera productions. Christy sang the role of Susanna in “The Marriage of Figaro” and Mayes played death row inmate Joseph De Rochar in “Dead Man Walking.”

A net profit is still being determined, but opera spokeswoman Valerie Hamlin says it will top $100,000.

The evening continued with a young professionals after-party that featured dancing to tunes spun by DJ Manos.

Grant and her co-chairs — Anne and Tom McGonagle, Kim Sullivan and Kathy and Tom Tyree — joined Pat Pearce, the company’s general and artistic director, in welcoming such friends and supporters as board president Maureen Barker and her sister, Johanna Kelly, director of development for Denver Botanic Gardens; board chair Nancy Parker; Kent Rice, executive director of Denver Arts and Venues; Sharon and Lanny Martin; Stephanie and architect David Tryba; Pam and Dutch Bansbach; Heidi and Bruce Hoyt; Dawn and Willis Wood; Sally and Richard Russo; Meg and Ed Nichols; and Marty May, president of First Western Trust Cherry Creek. He was there with a group that included colleague Susan Rawley, a member of the opera board; her husband, Matt Rawley and Nicole Baudo.

Joanne Davidson was The Denver Post's society editor for 29 years before retiring in July 2015. She quickly discovered she wasn't ready for the rocking chair, so she dusted off her evening gowns and returned to the paper as a freelance reporter, writing feature stories and covering charitable fundraising events in the metro area.

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